BajaNomad - Gonzaga Hwy Update

Gonzaga Hwy Update

TMW - 3-18-2014 at 09:14 AM

This from a friend in San Felipe:

The road to Gonzaga Bay is now paved 2 miles south of Gonzaga and open . New military check point almost done . Looks the same as the one north of San Felipe. Alfonsina's packed lots of people . Rooms are now $75 weekdays and $100 weekends and $125 holidays . Also building more rooms on the left side as you go in .

David K - 3-18-2014 at 09:18 AM

"Good Roads Bring ALL Kinds of People"

villafontana - 3-18-2014 at 09:26 AM

So that big bridge that their building, exactly what is going to link? It seems kind of big for lil Gonzaga bay.

[Edited on 3-18-2014 by villafontana]

David K - 3-18-2014 at 09:36 AM

The bridge just north of Papa Fernandez' road?

It simple goes over Arroyo Alfredo providing all weather communication.

willardguy - 3-18-2014 at 09:47 AM

these are the new rooms that face bahia willard, theyre above a huge garage you can secure your boat,bikes, whatever you want locked up.

villafontana - 3-18-2014 at 09:48 AM

Yeah, a big one. I tried to reach it to take a pic, but i couldnt. Theres a paved road to it but was closed to traffic last may.

David K - 3-18-2014 at 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by villafontana
Yeah, a big one. I tried to reach it to take a pic, but i couldnt. Theres a paved road to it but was closed to traffic last may.

Just like any place they are working on the highway, just continue on the dirt detour road... and you would have seen it. It has been open to traffic for a few months now... and the pavement as reported by Wayno to TW and other of us on his email now extends and can be driven for 2 miles south of the Gonzaga Pemex.

The next big bridge they will likely build is over Arroyo Santa Maria, about 5 miles south of the Pemex.

[Edited on 3-18-2014 by David K]

villafontana - 3-18-2014 at 10:09 AM

Yeah we tried to get to the bridge thru the dirt roads, but at one point, the dirt road broke into two,so we didnt know which one to follow, so we went back and tried to get into the paved road that was closed, thru a little dirt gap, but i got stuck on a small enbankment, eventhough i was driving a jeep patriot. Lol. Luckily for us, help came soon from a couple of american couples who help us get unstuck our little jeep. After that we went back immediately to SF. Lol

[Edited on 3-18-2014 by villafontana]

rts551 - 3-18-2014 at 11:54 AM

Headed that way fri or mon. But I certainly won't pay that kinda price for Alfonsina's. I'll look at San Felipe or other options.

willardguy - 3-18-2014 at 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Headed that way fri or mon. But I certainly won't pay that kinda price for Alfonsina's. I'll look at San Felipe or other options.

it may sound kinda pricey but don't forget, you can get your picture taken with antonio and don't forget one of your taco! :lol:

redhilltown - 3-18-2014 at 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TW
This from a friend in San Felipe:

The road to Gonzaga Bay is now paved 2 miles south of Gonzaga and open . New military check point almost done . Looks the same as the one north of San Felipe. Alfonsina's packed lots of people . Rooms are now $75 weekdays and $100 weekends and $125 holidays . Also building more rooms on the left side as you go in .

Egads...a military checkpoint near Gonzaga Bay similar to the one north of San Felipe??????? Oh...say it isn't so?

(Then again, there is the one between Maneadero and Santo Tomas and it is still just a shell...or was?).

rts551 - 3-19-2014 at 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Headed that way fri or mon. But I certainly won't pay that kinda price for Alfonsina's. I'll look at San Felipe or other options.

it may sound kinda pricey but don't forget, you can get your picture taken with antonio and don't forget one of your taco! :lol:

I'll be sure to include the map and GPS coordinates

[Edited on 3-19-2014 by rts551]

Sweetwater - 3-19-2014 at 06:56 PM

Even the palapas have seen a rental increase....we stayed there 10 days ago.....$10/night for an open palapa and $25 for an enclosed one. It was a Friday night and the store and Alfonsino's restaurant were packed....to say the least....not a great review on the food/service....Eso si que es.....

David K - 3-20-2014 at 11:33 AM

Funny comment about the map and GPS... but these once remote places (including the Seven Sisters) have all been on maps and GPS lists since either were made for Baja travelers.

The places remain remote and unspoiled, UNTIL a highway (paved or graded dirt) is built to them... but specially when pavement arrives. It is good roads that spoil the remote places in Baja for those of us who go there for that kind of experience.

Take up you complaining with the Mexican government. It is what it is and the good 'ol days are just that... I vividly remember Gonzaga Bay and how it looked over the many years I have gone there and used the road via Puertecitos: 1965, 1967, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1986, 1999, and almost annually from 2001-2012... my Tacoma years :light:

[Edited on 3-20-2014 by David K]

rts551 - 3-20-2014 at 12:54 PM

And I prior to that...but who is counting...oops

Since I most of my time in Baja, I appreciate the infrastructure improvements.
and I find there are still more unexplored areas than those that are "civilized".

I would put up some pictures of this beloved road from 1959, but I find that some people borrow them and reuse them as their own and as with most family photos, they are personal.

bufeo - 3-20-2014 at 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551...I would put up some pictures of this beloved road from 1959, but I find that some people borrow them and reuse them as their own and as with most family photos, they are personal.

Which is precisely why I stopped posting photos on this forum.

Allen R

motoged - 3-20-2014 at 01:13 PM

"The Gonzaga Highway"....now THERE is a new concept.....

Next: Coco's OXXO......

That's progress.....there will always be the side doubletrack south of Gonzaga for the folks who like it rough.... :saint:

rts551 - 3-20-2014 at 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged
"The Gonzaga Highway"....now THERE is a new concept.....

Next: Coco's OXXO......

That's progress.....there will always be the side doubletrack south of Gonzaga for the folks who like it rough.... :saint:

Time moves on... I remember the road on the Pacific side prior to being paved. Now we take it for granted...or even complain about a few potholes. and it opened up a lot of areas for off-road exploration. I suspect the same will happen here and others will take it for granted in the years to come.

willardguy - 3-20-2014 at 04:10 PM

man I love the new pavement, get the rest done! I don't doubt that you "frequent yearly visitors" :rolleyes:

have a soft spot for that old POS road, but traveling that thing weekly, leaving numerous parts of numerous vehicles scattered along the way, the romance slips away.
and for you youngsters that were born too late to taste the wild side of baja, listen, I'd way rather have my youth than a bunch of memories of "the good ol' days" :lol:

but thats just me.

villafontana - 3-20-2014 at 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
man I love the new pavement, get the rest done! I don't doubt that you "frequent yearly visitors" :rolleyes:

but thats just me.

amen to this!!!

mtnpop - 3-20-2014 at 07:45 PM

Came in from Mulege today to San Felipe.. From Chapala to the new pavement was 34 miles on our odometer... made it in 2 hours.. looks like a tire graveyard along with the bone crunching drive.
The steel for the new bridge is being tied on the hill .. looks to be a big project..
We came on into San Felipe and staying at KIKI's for 650 peso including the dog gets to stay... friday and Saturday night is 850 peso
clean nice place with an RV park also... not a close restaurant though... had to go to the malecon to eat but good eats..
safe travel my friends...
there are some scary washouts along the dirt road... you don't want to catch one of them...
the new 7.5 miles of the highway is nice with wide shoulders... watch for rocks on the highway everywhere it cuts through the hills.... many rock slides and some big rocks in the driving lanes... today anyway.

mtnpop - 3-20-2014 at 07:52 PM

on the military checkpoint close to Gonzaga today had 3 soldiers manning it and no real inspection... just where ya goin, where ya comin from... ok have a good day... one lane open... looks like the one south of Ensenada where no one mans it...

Alm - 3-27-2014 at 05:39 PM

Paved road is not the end, mainstream power is. With 120V on the camps, the prices will jump up to Ensenada/San Felipe levels and camps will fill up with permanent campers side by side. With a 6ft cement wall from the road. Though it will take time before all the camps in the bay will become like that.

David K - 3-27-2014 at 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alm
Paved road is not the end, mainstream power is. With 120V on the camps, the prices will jump up to Ensenada/San Felipe levels and camps will fill up with permanent campers side by side. With a 6ft cement wall from the road. Though it will take time before all the camps in the bay will become like that.

Things will change... but mostly only as far as a 2WD street vehicle can get.

Taken this week, 2 miles south of Gonzaga Pemex, looking north:

gringorio - 4-10-2014 at 04:22 PM

Drove the dirt road twice in the last couple weeks. Took three hours to Hwy 1 going south and took 4 hours coming back to Gonzaga because I had a sidewall puncture and a questionable side-road llantera patch. The dirt road is rough but very doable. I saw a couple sedans, a semi with empty flatbed and a two-axle diesel carting 31 cows. Also saw the dreaded oil streak for a couple hundred feet then a pool of oil. Someone had a bad day.

Cliffy - 4-10-2014 at 05:27 PM

So I guess towing my 20 ft travel trailer is not going to happen yet Gonzaga to Mex 1 HUH?

chuckie - 4-11-2014 at 05:41 AM

Sure second that....Lotsa good memories, but in thinking about one trip in particular over the three sisters, rather not do that agin....COME ON new road....!!!

dizzyspots - 4-11-2014 at 06:42 AM

Im glad the new road is in...but happy to be part of the "THREE SISTERS ALUMNI"...i love pointing out the old road as we pass by

David K - 4-11-2014 at 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dizzyspots
Im glad the new road is in...but happy to be part of the "THREE SISTERS ALUMNI"...i love pointing out the old road as we pass by

Passengers of mine get an earful of "There's the old road!". Hwy. 1 even more.

David K - 4-11-2014 at 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dizzyspots
Im glad the new road is in...but happy to be part of the "THREE SISTERS ALUMNI"...i love pointing out the old road as we pass by

Passengers of mine get an earful of "There's the old road!". Hwy. 1 even more.

Sunman - 4-11-2014 at 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gringorio
Also saw the dreaded oil streak for a couple hundred feet then a pool of oil. Someone had a bad

We drove thru on Monday and saw that streak, I had the exact same thought.

Met a Canuck and Aussie on motorcycles heading to see Shari, did they ever make to see you Shari?

woody with a view - 4-11-2014 at 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Passengers of mine get an earful of "There's the old road!". Hwy. 1 even more.

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Passengers of mine get an earful of "There's the old road!". Hwy. 1 even more.

i can imagine! :lol:

rts551 - 5-2-2014 at 09:42 AM

Road Traffic

[Edited on 11-21-2014 by BajaNomad]

Glidergeek - 11-12-2014 at 09:53 PM

How long does it take to drive from Mexicali to GB?

surely depends on speed but..

John M - 11-13-2014 at 05:33 AM

Never driven straight through but I'd guess four hours or less. We don't drive fast.

John M

David K - 11-13-2014 at 10:10 AM

About 2.5 to San Felipe, add 1.5 to Puertecitos, add 1 more to Gonzaga (not counting photo and view stops) = 5 hours for the 220 mile drive.

Glidergeek - 11-15-2014 at 05:09 AM

Thanks, Any good RV places on the way on the beach for nice overnight stops? I drive sloooo

[Edited on 11-19-2014 by Glidergeek]

Skipjack Joe - 11-15-2014 at 05:50 AM

So sad. The cancer spreads.

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

David K - 11-15-2014 at 08:34 AM

:light:

Pavement = cancer, that's creative Igor! Kind of like the twist, 'good roads bring bad people' or at least, all kinds of people!

jack - 11-17-2014 at 04:54 PM

Are they still working on the road? I would have thought that they would have been half way to #1 by now but have not heard any new progress reports or seen any new pictures.

motoged - 11-17-2014 at 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Glidergeek
.... places on the way on the beach for nice overbite stops? ....

Your orthodontist might know :lol:

chuckie - 11-17-2014 at 07:02 PM

I love women with a "significant overbite" :bounce:

StuckSucks - 11-19-2014 at 12:37 PM

The pavement continues to km 154. Photos to follow.

StuckSucks - 11-19-2014 at 01:21 PM

David K - 11-19-2014 at 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StuckSucks
The pavement continues to km 154. Photos to follow.

Do you know the km at the Pemex so we can figure how far south it is now. I must say that seeing the new road and Santa Maria arroyo bridge is really sad for me having driven that road since I was 16 (1974, a dozen years before
It was graded).

StuckSucks - 11-19-2014 at 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Do you know the km at the Pemex so we can figure how far south it is now.

Sorry, no.

BTW: When heading south on 11/7, the Pemex station had both pumps covered with plastic. On the trip north 11/17, one pump was covered with plastic and there was human movement in the station.

And the Playa Grande store complex continues to grow ...

StuckSucks - 11-19-2014 at 03:11 PM

Oh, and I noticed the pavement isn't linear - there's a section with pavement, then a section of non-pavement, then pavement again, etc.

David K - 11-19-2014 at 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StuckSucks

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Do you know the km at the Pemex so we can figure how far south it is now.

Sorry, no.

...

Okay, I am home now and could do a little searching...

The Puertecitos junction is at KM. 74+ and my last road log south put the Gonzaga Pemex at 44 miles south of Puertecitos Jcn., or 71 kms.

KM. 74 + 71 = KM. 145 at Gonzaga Pemex (estimate)

You posted the pavement ends now at KM. 154

154-145 = 9 kms. = 5.6 miles... this should be on the new Arroyo Santa Maria bridge? Do you recall how close to the new bridge the pavement went?

David K - 11-19-2014 at 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StuckSucks
Oh, and I noticed the pavement isn't linear - there's a section with pavement, then a section of non-pavement, then pavement again, etc.

Yes, it is funny why they do that!

Way back in July 1973, while building Hwy. 1 northward between Guerrero Negro and Laguna Chapala, they would pave a section of the new roadbed, then a long unpaved part, then more pavement!? It was pretty weird.

The southbound team did not... The pavement ended by Rancho El Progreso (Mission San Fernando road), and that was it... road bed continued on past San Agustin to about the Agua Dulce road... then it was the old original Baja 1000 road past Santa Ynez (no Cataviña yet) to Laguna Chapala where we met road crews coming north.

That was all in July, and the highway was finished that November and opened on Dec. 1 by the president. Amazing when compared to this Hwy. 5 team, only doing 6 miles a year! Of course that first paving was so bad, it was crappy in under 10 years.

TMW - 11-19-2014 at 09:36 PM

The road improvments continue for about 14 miles past the gas station. As said, some is paved and some is compacted getting ready to pave. The new road mengles with the old road. I mean we were driving to the east of the new road until after the bridge going south then at some point we crossed over to the west side. After the Punta Final jct with the road west to Las Palmitas. Where we crossed west is where the old road made a long downhill sweep to the right then left and there is a concrete pad. The concrete pad is at 29-36.580x114-23.900. I think when this new stuff is paved it will be about 10 miles to Coco, maybe less.

Bob H - 11-19-2014 at 10:45 PM

WOW!

More from Mando... THANKS!

David K - 11-20-2014 at 07:56 AM

Mando of Bahia de los Angeles sent me these photos, taken last week... Images sized to 640 pixels...

Coco just before the Baja 1000

South from L.A. Bay, looking north to the bay.

StuckSucks - 11-20-2014 at 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Do you recall how close to the new bridge the pavement went?

My brain cell seems to remember less than a mile.

24baja - 11-20-2014 at 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Mando of Bahia de los Angeles sent me these photos, taken last week...

Coco just before the Baja 1000

South from L.A. Bay, looking north to the bay.

Love and miss our Mando. Great pics! C

[Edited on 11-20-2014 by 24baja]

David K - 11-20-2014 at 11:59 AM

24baja, we need Mando to join Nomad! He joined Ron's (Baja Gringo's) Talk Baja forum, so I know he can do it! :light:

(Oh, and he does read Nomad... the pressure is on!)

24baja - 11-20-2014 at 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
24baja, we need Mando to join Nomad! He joined Ron's (Baja Gringo's) Talk Baja forum, so I know he can do it! :light:

(Oh, and he does read Nomad... the pressure is on!)

Hi David K,
Mando is one of the sweetest guys on earth and I think his hesitation how brutal it can be here at Nomads. I tell him to read and choose his words carefully and he will escape the haters. That being said I am sure I will receive a few comments from said haters for this comment. Connie

David K - 11-20-2014 at 04:54 PM

Yup Connie, exactly... I get the "how dare you DK tell me what I can say here" when I only suggest ways to appear friendlier to future Nomads. It is really sad that once some of these folks find this forum, they don't want anyone else to enjoy it with them? Nomad is kind of like the Seven Sisters surfing area... room for anyone who can get there and more fun if they do!

I met Mando at the Campo de Cahuenga even in L.A. and he has been so cool to know and talk to in the time since.

http://www.yelp.com/events/los-angeles-campo-de-cahuenga-the...